Insurance Expected to Cover Fireworks Damage

The insurance company that covered Oak Creek's July 4 fireworks is expected to approve a claim for damage caused by a grass fire .

City Clerk Catherine Roeske said the city contracted with Spielbauer Fireworks Company for the Fourth of July display and took out a joint insurance policy that had Spielbauer listed first.

She said the policy covers the damages and the property owner, Mark Verhalen, should receive a "positive response" in the next day or two.

Verhalen filed a claim with the city for $1,160 in damages caused by the July 4 fire. The city denied the claim last week, saying it should be filed with Spielbauer instead.

Verhalen said he is hoping for a quick resolution and not a drawn-out battle with insurance companies.

The fire started about 10 minutes into the Fourth of July display, which came after weeks of extremely dry conditions. Fire officials say it was contained to about one acre of Verhalen's property near East Middle School.

Verhalen is a member of the Oak Creek-Franklin School Board and former candidate for mayor.